When the royal capital Arche fell, the 50,000 troops under the direct control of the Garlist and most of the noblemen's private army were still in force.

　This was because the fall of the royal capital by the so called demons was a complete surprise attack. Therefore, most of the national army and surrounding troops guarding the fortresses around the capital lost the capital of their country before they could even smell the battle.

　But that's just a hypothetical. If we were to deploy the national army to retake the capital, based on the multiple forts surrounding the capital.

　The local nobles and forces of the Garlist Kingdom might not have lost their control yet. Of course, they would have been badly wounded. Even so, the chaos we see today would not have been created.

　There are several reasons why this was not possible, but there are two main ones.

　The first was the sudden change in the condition of the old king, Amelites-Gerleist, perhaps due to the fall of King's Landing. He could no longer use the fortress as a new base to show the people around him that he was a strong king.

　The other reason was that the cathedral urged us to work together. The Cathedral and the Kingdom of Garleist have joined forces to fight the demons and monsters. The Cathedral and the Kingdom of Garlist must unite as one and become the Guardians.

　Of course, there were many other reasons, many opinions and words mixed together. In the end, the king chose the path of bringing the national army and aligning with the Great Sacred Church.

　Therefore, the king, some nobles, and the national army are no longer in the capital, but have left for the north. Therefore, the king, some nobles, and the national army are no longer in the capital, and have left for the north, and I don't even know if I can call this the capital anymore.

　However, the king and senior nobles have not abandoned the capital without a fight. If they abandoned all their bases, they would allow the demons to act as they please, and their villages would undoubtedly be destroyed.

　We have to form a group. We must form a group in order to control the demons in some way, and if possible, to retake the capital.

　Under such frivolous words, a part of the national army was allocated to form a group called the Royal Capital Protection Corps.

　In the end, it was as if a lump of dirt and misfortune had been thrust upon them.

　Inside the fort. The general, Richard Permiris, was listening to his second-in-command's report, wrinkling his face in amusement.

　He clears his throat loudly and opens his mouth to say.

"Ha, ha, ha. I see, that kid, Lugis... How dare you talk so big. You haven't changed a bit, have you?

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. The eyes that show cunning are glittering piercingly.

　Seeing this, his second-in-command, Neymar-Gloria, clenched his fingers tightly. Then he raises his eyebrows in a bad mood and opens his mouth.

"Captain!　This is no laughing matter. This is no laughing matter. The very person you have declared to be the greatest evil is licking his lips at the sight of King's Landing!

　Neymar's eyes peeled open and he shouted at his superior's seemingly joking attitude. His shoulders rose and fell, and his core felt slightly hot.

　Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the soldiers around him twitching in response to his voice.

　Normally, it is not advisable for a subordinate to raise his voice against his superior. If a soldier senses that there is a rift between his superior and his first officer, he will be upset and uncertain of his own course. They begin to wonder if they can really follow their command.

　A soldier who begins to think for himself is often useless on the battlefield. They do not produce any benefit. So, if there is a conflict, they usually don't bother to show it to the soldiers.

　However, in the case of Richard and Neymar, it was not uncommon to see a second-in-command trying to bite his superior in this manner.

　Neymar was not one to mince words with his superiors, and Richard did not condemn him for it. In fact, he even seemed to approve of it.

　I guess you could say that they don't seem to be on the same page, but they are.

　In a sense, their unchanging way of being, even in this situation where they have faced countless demonic beasts and even supplies are not easy to come by, reassures the soldiers.

　Respect? Or maybe it's familiarity.

　Richard says with a toothy grin. His fingertip slowly points to Neymar's forehead.

"Look, you got a bad habit. Fix it here. Stop judging everything as friend or foe, savage or not. What you need to know is how to use it.

　Richard's fingertips fluttered in the air as he sat back in his chair, looking for a drink. He still needed a drink to get his words around. Without it, I felt lonely.

　Sitting down, Richard opened his mouth.

"There's a use for everything. Poison can be good medicine. If you've been under Valerie's thumb, you know that.

　So you're saying they're medicine if you use them right. I think that's a very violent way of thinking. Neymar unknowingly bites his lip as he thinks this.

　Then he said with a sigh.

I know. One of my superiors is like that.

　Richard's voice was full of sarcasm, and he laughed with a throaty, toothy grin. Is it my imagination, or does that make me feel a little frustrated?

　But the truth is, Neymar understood what Richard was saying.

　In fact, Neymar understood what Richard was saying. Even with the grand name of the Guard, it was a small force of only 5,000 men from the national reserve. Even with the help of the surrounding noblemen's private armies, it would be no more than 10,000.

　That's too small a number to deal with a horde of demons and monsters.

　In order to protect the king, many of the national troops have moved north with King Amerith. With the fall of the royal capital, the key to commerce, supplies could only be obtained from the surrounding villages.



　For Neymar, this was the first time he had ever been in a military action with so much at stake. Win or lose, the Garristian army has always had the upper hand, and it has always been easy to do so.

　When I think about it, I feel like I'm having a nightmare about my current predicament. Neymar nodded as if to mince his words, and looked into Richard's deep eyes.

You mean you're going to use heraldry and Gazalia - the great evil - to take back King's Landing?

　Neymar's eyes gleamed with intensity. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why. Then he said, "That's not very nice of you to take advantage of me.

"He said he's here to help. Then let him help you. When in doubt, help each other. It's good, it's the height of virtue.

　He says in a tone of voice as if he really doesn't have it in mind. Neymar couldn't help but chuckle at his superior's attitude. For a moment, they both felt a lightness in their hearts.

　Of course, it is easy to say that we should use them, but to be honest, there are many obstacles. It's not that I'm not a fan of the idea, but I'm not a fan of the idea.

　In addition, since there is no royal power, Neymar and the others are not in a position to give orders to them. The most they can do is to ask for help.

　If they stubbornly turn their backs on us, there is nothing we can do to correct that.

　But still...

　Richard's smile slowly fades. The wrinkles deepened and he opened his mouth.

"And there's no mistaking what Lugis says. It's a lot better than having demons taking over King's Landing like they own the place. Much, much better. Much better.

　Richard narrowed his eyes and looked towards the side of King's Landing. Seeing this, Neymar let out a small gasp.

　Richard always had a certain air of reserve about him, a kind of bottomlessness.

　I think he is consciously trying to make it look that way. Sometimes a commander needs that kind of resourcefulness.

　The ability to smile with a cruel heart, to talk about virtue while making viciousness good. That resourcefulness.

　But only in this moment. I think Neymar had only one emotion in his eyes, without pretense.

　A clear and sincere hostility.

　It was gone in an instant. Then, with his usual expression on his face, Richard said.

"All right. Send a messenger to Lugis. Let's call it a joint front. All we need is the crown in the end.

　Neymar smiled and replied in a voice that did not hide his usual cunning colors.

"Yes, sir. I will try to turn poison into medicine.